Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37458/nstf.26.2.7
Geopolitical Implications of Hybrid Operations: The Example of the Southern Gas Interconnection
Dražen Barbarić
; University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Marko Odak
; University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Miroslav Vasilj
orcid.org/0009-0007-5000-8827
; University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sažetak
The Southern Gas Interconnection project is conceived as an energy link between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, carrying significant geopolitical and economic potential to reduce BiH's dependence on Russian gas. Despite its strategic importance, the project faces internal political disagreements that reflect a broader framework of hybrid action through energy policy. This paper analyzes how energy interests and international influences shape internal political attitudes and decisions in BiH. Croatian political actors support the Southern Gas Interconnection project as part of their pro-European and security policies, with an emphasis on reducing energy dependence on Russia and strengthening regional energy security. On the other hand, the Republika Srpska represents a pro-Russian position, favoring existing energy flows that enable the maintenance of Russian influence on the local market. Bosniak political actors take a pragmatic and flexible approach to the project, adapting their positions and decisions to current political interests and strategic benefits. Methodologically, the paper will include the analysis of media discourse, political statements and relevant documents. In the first part of the paper, the chronology of the project will be presented in detail, as well as the attitudes of domestic political actors towards it. Furthermore, the geopolitical context in which the entire process takes place and how broader geopolitical forces are refracted within BiH will be presented, precisely on the example of the Southern Gas Interconnection. The second part of the paper is devoted to the qualitative analysis of media content within the media space of BiH. It will present the internal "narrative dispute" and different interpretations of the effects that the mentioned project could have both for BiH and for the wider regional energy and security structure. The emphasis will be on the informational dimension of hybrid threats, pointing to the role of the media in shaping the perception of the public and political actors. The paper will provide a basis for further discussions on energy connectivity as a means of strengthening the resistance of NATO and the EU to Russian influence in South-Eastern Europe, it is expected that the research results will contribute to a better understanding of energy policies as a tool of hybrid influence and their implications for regional stability and safety.
Ključne riječi
Southern Gas Interconnection; hybrid warfare; regional geopolitics; energy policy; media analysis
Hrčak ID:
343309
URI
Datum izdavanja:
21.11.2025.
Posjeta: 134 *